Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar Two-Tone Sunburst

Comments about Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

It has been a long time since I did anything professionally,so,I have been using the experienced description. I have been playing the guitar for almost 50 years. In 1964, everyone in their late teens and early 20's, wanted four things: a Fender Jaguar Guitar, a Fender Dual Showman, a Fender Reverb Unit and a Pontiac Tempest with an extra cost, upgrade option, that borrowed a name from Ferrari, in short, the GTO. A Fender Stratocaster became a "sleeper," until it was rediscovered as a more versatile instrument just as the GTO was a "sleeper" on the street. In other words, no one saw them coming. I own and have owned many different guitars, including a '64 Jaguar and still have many "high end" Strats. I bought one of these American Specials because it was an inexpensive American made(about 85%)Fender Strat, which I could use every day, so that I did not have to be concerned about scratching one of the high end Strats. This is what I would call a "sleeper." It is worth more than its asking price because it can perform against almost any high end guitar, and be a "winner" in the end. I was impressed with the finish and the fit on the one that I bought. It was as good as the finish on any of the high end guitars. I chose the two tone edition, which is reminisant of the early Strats. I like the vintage tremolo, which is one of the features on this guitar. I was planning on changing out the pickups with the Fender SCN set, but, once I plugged this guitar into three different Fender Amps, one at a time, that are used everyday, I decided that the stock Texas Specials with the Grease Bucket circuit utilizing the 250K potentiometers, and "assembled in Mexico" five way switch would stay. The range in the sound qualities are fantastic. Backing off of the volume and the tone knobs from "10" can change the response for any venue, which would chiefly be Classic Rock, Blues, Country and Jazz, but not limited to just these forms. Of course, the set up on the amp is important as well. I played this guitar through a '59 Bassman, a '64 Twin Reverb, and a contemporary Hot Rod III with the 2/12 speakers, and it was impressive. I did some upgrades to this Strat, which were primarily cosmetic. The Korean made pickguard was changed to one of the gold anodized aluminum, US made models with a '62 aluminum shield, to put behind it for grounding, and the "aged" pickup covers, triple knobs, tremolo end piece, back trem cover plate and switch tip. A set of the Fender Schaller strap holders replaced the standard strap buttons. I replaced the machine heads with a set of Fender locking machine heads that have the "F" on the back knobs, although there is nothing wrong with the machine heads that Fender has been using in recent years. I like using locking machine heads, as it is additional assurance that the guitar will stay in tune, during a performance. This helped the stock strings, which were light "9's," stay in tune after an extreme bend, but I replaced them with a set of round wound "10's," which did change the character of the signal sent to the amplifier(s). I would guess that flat wound strings would play well on this particular Strat, as well. The one complaint that I would have, is that the set up, right out of the box, was terrible. Of course, this was taken care of, with the machine head exchange and string replacement as well as adjustments to the tremolo. Another small problem was that the tremolo baseplate was not sitting flat on the body, as it should have, so the two screws that hold the "claw" had to be tightened up. The large "CBS" type of headstock adds to the overall sound produced by this guitar. Without my additions, this Strat is one of the great ones, currently available. "Gatemouth" would have loved it.

Comments about Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

This is my first start and I tried many before buying this one. The Texas Special pups are amazing for clean and blues playing.

They are sharp and have a great attack. With overdrive they work well too, but are not amazing with heavier distortion. But, this is a blues machine and not a heavy metal guitar.

The feel of the guitar is great quality for the price, the neck is smooth and the gloss finish on the body is beautiful.

I felt this guitar had more guts compared to the standard version (CS fat 50s pups), and definitely better than the flat sounding noiseless pups on the deluxe model.

Worth the money and if I had enough money, i would buy two!!

Comments about Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

This is a solid, very well made, high quality guitar. The only thing I don't like about it, and the only reason I'm giving it a 4 star rating, is the way the tone controls are set up by the factory. As received, the #2 tone control is connected to the bridge pup, with no tone control for the middle pup. It's just my preference, but I like having tone control for the middle pup, with no tone control for the bridge pup, on a Stratocaster. As I said; that's just my preference. After I bought my Strat Special, I immediately resoldered the #2 tone control (only took a couple of minutes) so that it controls the middle pup, leaving the bridge pup with no tone control. Now; my Strat Special is wired the way I want it, and I love the guitar. I've always liked the Texas Special pups, and they make this, as they do other Strats, sound great. They produce a nice, slightly over driven, 'meaty' tone. Great tone for playing blues, rock, or just about any other style of music. The neck is maple, with a nice, 9.5" radius fret board. The jumbo frets have taken some getting used to, since all my other Strats have medium jumbos, but I like them, now that I've gotten used to them. Really fast and comfortable. I can do without the '70s' style headstock, but it doesn't detract from the way the guitar plays. The finish is gorgeous, and I can't find anything wrong with the overall fit and finish of this guitar. Now that I've changed the way the tone controls are wired, I love this guitar! In fact; it's become one of my all time favorite guitars.
Buy this Stratocaster Special, and you won't be disappointed. It has great tone, is versatile, plays like a dream, and is very well made. And you won't have to break your bank account to buy one. For what you get for the price, it's a real bargain.

Comments about Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

I could not be happier with this strat. I was a LP guy, then I decided to sold mine and give a strat a try. Now I'm never put my strat down, and this guitar is the reason. Great tone, US made, great finish. The only thing I didn't like was the volume potentiometer, it is not linear as I like, but I'll get it replaced and I'll be good to go! BUY THIS!

Comments about Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

This guitar is fantastic for its price! it is very well crafted. very well set up. Texas Special Strat pickups are fantastic (they live up to their reputation). It is impossible to go wrong with this guitar. i bought it today and loved it, you will to.

Comments about Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

set up was terrible, i dont think anyone final adjusted this guitar. The finish was nice, does not feel as good as my 1999 american standard, its heavy, but i would recomend it because its american and the price is right. beautiful gig bag much nicer than expected. After i set it up it was alot better. All in all 9.5 rating

Comments about Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

I've been playing almost 40 years. I've own a 64 Jazzmaster, 65 Telecaster, Venture Mosrite (2 times), Fender 2012 Mex Tele and various tele and strat knockoffs. I'm mainly a keyboardist but also love to play guitar and bass as well. I do my own home recording since 93 after I left my 7 piece band.

Having owned all these guitars and various amps (including a 64 Fender Tremolux). I can not put this guitar down. My keyboards and Mex teelcaster are getting neglected.

It is what everyone says it is. A players guitar that has so many sounds and variations with the greasebucket tone circuit. NOTE: This guitar uses the .1uf capacitors that the strats originaly had in the 50's and 60's before they went to the .022uf. It has bite with the tex spcl pickups but yet can be bluesy and mellow with a creamy sound as well.
I'm using it in my re-mixing of my old recordings to be sure.

Comments about Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

I own a lot of guitars - Teles, Strats, a Les Paul studio - and this guitar is now my number one. Fender took everything I've always wanted - Texas Special pickups, a super easy-to-pay maple fretboard with the big 70s headstock, and an Olympic white finish (not available anymore I don't think) - and made it affordable while still being made in America. I don't know what else you would want! This is a 100% perfect guitar, and I know it's only going to get better with age. When I play other guitars now, it only makes me realize what a special instrument I own.

Comments about Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

This guitar is everything i could have asked for. Tone and overall sound is incredible. It is extremely versatile and well-suited for most genres of music. In addition, it stays in tune very well. I usually change my strings, stretch them and tune them and never have to re-tune until the next time i change my strings (once every two weeks -- give or take.)I have tried many different guitars, although I always keep bouncing back to the Fender American Special. Perfect neck radius and frets.on top of everything else, this guitar looks and feels perfect. I could go for years bragging about this guitar, but unfortunately, i already made this review too long for anybody to want to read. Overall-- great guitar!

Comments about Fender American Special Stratocaster Electric Guitar:

Love this guitar.The best fender I've ever played. I find nothing wrong with it. Plays smooth as ice.
Tried out the guitar as soon as it arrived, which was very quick. Wow what a guitar, It has that little extra I was looking for. It sounds great and plays real smooth. Better get one while they last.